August 2009 AMERICAN OSLER SOCIETY 10, Number 2

The Oslerian A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT - JOHN NOBLE

Libraries- and Charles (Chuck) Gordon Roland

Dear Colleagues: The loss of Chuck Roland is poignant and sad. At the time of his retirement, Mr. Gurney was At recent AOS meetings, we spoke together of asked to help cull duplicate books from the Wel- him coming down to Boston University as a come Foundation Medical . He, in turn, Visiting Professor and to visit the marvelous shared this treasure trove with his long time cus- Inside this issue: of Oslerian books from his Library tomer- colleagues. My share of eight books re- which I had purchased through Jim Goodrich, main the center piece of my collection. 2009 Business 2 Meeting Minutes some ten years ago. Thomas Futcher was one of William Osler’s

2009 Board of Governor’s 3-4 This tribute to Chuck comes from my library residents at Hopkins. While attending Harvard Meeting Minutes and the many Oslerians who have helped me College, his son, Dr. Palmer Futcher, often went to create it over the past forty three years. on dates with my mother. Many years later, I met Dr. Futcher while attending a meeting of the Members in the News 5 During 1966, I spent three months at St. Oslerian Progress Notes 5 American College of Physicians in Philadelphia. Mary’s Hospital learning about the Obituary Leon Z. Saunders 6 virology of smallpox, in preparation to work It was a wonderful visit. He shared with me his Obituary William C. Gibson 6 in and subsequently to direct the Diagnostic long and varied career at Johns Hopkins and later Obituary Charles G. Roland 6-8 Laboratory for Smallpox at the CDC in in Philadelphia where he served as the Executive Atlanta. I often frequented a nearby anti- Secretary for the American Board of Internal Call for Abstracts 9 quarian store and purchased Buchan’s Medicine. Through the years, he collected many Medical Text 1802, for two pounds. When I items that related to Osler, his family and Johns showed the book to my professor, Keith Hopkins. Dumbell, he suggested that I visit an anti- quarian bookseller named R.D. Gurney to In 1995, he sent a letter to me with a small pursue my interest further. package. In the letter he recounted how my mother and he liked to exchange books so many years ago, A short while later, I walked to Mr. Gurney’s and then discuss what they had read on the next house and was invited to sit in the parlor. He date. The letter was very nice. The package was inquired about my interests. I said that I was equally nice, it contained Aequanimitas, inscribed interested in historical works describing on the flyleaf by W. Osler to Thomas Futcher: physical diagnosis. He disappeared upstairs. A few minutes later he brought down several books, one of which illustrated the optimal locations for auscultation of the chest entitled Fissura Sterni Cogenita: New Observations and Experiments. It was described and illus- trated in 1859 by the “patient”, who was the Greetings, author, Eugene Groux. Fellow The defect enabled him to make a living Oslerians! teaching auscultation to medical students. President John Noble, shown This treasure marked the beginning of my here in his lair overlooking library and a friendship of over fifteen years. Boston Harbor, at the time of the 2008 Boston Meeting. Page 2 The Oslerian August 2009 Volume 10, Number 2

President’s Message (continued), lerianae privatissimae (continued), core? continued) IN MEMORIAM Dee Canale, neurosurgeon, has been an active Oslerian in the AOS and a book seller for many years. 2009 I was particularly taken by his transformation of the Woodcuts of human anatomy in Vesalius’ Fabrica Since the last issue of into a pastoral scene by the individual pictures in the reverse, which resulted in them being linked together in succession. This remarkable graphic combines anatomy, emotion, and nature. It is The Oslerian, the Society surprising how often beauty, nature, and science fit together ! has lost three members Leon Saunders - March 4 Charles Roland - June 9 William Gibson - July 4 Their obituaries appear in this issue.

Addendum (Attribution ) Special thanks from AOS President Noble to Dr. Ed Wagner and colleagues at the As a tribute to Chuck Roland, to commemorate his many achievements, I propose that we Oslerians University of Washington for select a number of books from our personal and give them to the Library which Chuck opened sharing the Framework for at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario many years ago. This will be a nice way to commemorate Creating a Regional Healthcare our shared friendship, our deep respect for him and his scholarship, love of books, and warm friendship System in The Oslerian, that he so generously gave to all of us. Sincerely, John Noble, MD, MACP Volume 10, issue #1. AOS Annual Business Meeting 10. Membership Committee: April 23, 2009 Dr. Lella gave the report. Please see the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. Gordon Frierson accepted his certificate. The MINUTES other new members were not present, and their certificates will be

1. President Joseph W. Lella called the meeting to order at mailed to them. 7:30 a.m. in the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel Ballroom. 11. Historian-Archivist’s report: 2. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Drs. Mark Please see the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. E. Silverman, Arthur Gryfe, and Leon Z. Saunders, who had 12. Program Committee: died since the previous meeting. Please see the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. 3. The minutes of the 2008 annual meeting were approved as 13. Publications Committee: written, distributed, and previously published in the August Please see the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. 2008 issue of The Oslerian. 14. President’s Report: 4. Secretary-Treasurer’s report: Dr. Lella expressed his appreciation to membership for the honor of Charles Bryan gave the report, reference being made to the serving as president and reported the Society to be in good shape. minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. Bruce Fye raised 15. Old Business: There was none. a question about whether members who have not attended 16. New Business: meetings for five consecutive years should be asked about their It was announced that the 2010 meeting would take place in Rochester, intent to remain as members. Discussion followed. No Minnesota, and that the 2011 meeting would take place in Philadelphia, motions were made. Pennsylvania. The site for the 2012 meeting has not been chosen. 5. William B. Bean Student Research Award report: Jonathan Erlen reported his willingness to make local arrangements for Please see the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. a meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Neelon suggested the 6. John P. McGovern Award Committee: Research Triangle area of North Carolina. No motion was made. Please see the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. 17. Dr. Lella expressed his appreciation to the John P. McGovern 7. Lifetime Achievement Award Committee: lecturer (Patrick McKee), to the outgoing members of the Board of Dr. Pitcock gave the report. Dr. Lella presented the award (a Governors (Stephen Greenberg, Pamela Miller, and William Roberts), medal) to Dr. Fye, who expressed deep appreciation. Dr. Lella and to committee chairs. announced that the Board of Governors had determined that 18. Introduction of incoming president: Dr. Lella introduced John Dr. Bryan would be next year’s recipient. Noble as the incoming president and presented him with the chain and 8. Nominating Committee: latchkey, the symbol of the office of AOS President. Francis Neelon gave the report. Please see the minutes of the 19. Dr. Noble expressed his appreciation of Dr. Lella for his service as Board of Governors meeting. president and presented him with a plaque containing a latchkey. 9. Finance Committee: 20. Dr. Noble adjourned the meeting at 8:00 A.M. Marvin Stone gave the report. Please see the minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. Respectfully submitted, Charles S. Bryan, Secretary-Treasurer August 2009 The Oslerian Page 3 Volume 10, Number 2 AOS Annual Meeting 2009 Cleveland, Ohio MINUTES: Meeting of the Board of Governors The Board of Governors of the American Osler Society Publications Fund, and $30,360 to uncommitted assets. met on Monday, April 30, 2009, at 7:10 PM in the The substantial decline in liquid assets was attributed to Humphrey Room of the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel, the loss of value of the Society’s investment accounts Cleveland, Ohio. President Dr. Joseph W. Lella called the (Fidelity Investments portfolio), attributed in turn to the meeting to order. Present were Drs. Marvin Stone, John global financial crisis that occurred in the fall of 2008. Noble, Claus Pierach, Dennis Bastron (by invitation), Likewise, further decline in the value of the Society’s Philip Leon, Joseph VanderVeer (by invitation), Clyde investment accounts accounted for an additional fall in Partin, James Young, Joseph Lella, Conrad Fulkerson, value of the total liquid assets to (as of April 16, 2009) Francis Neelon, Paul Mueller, Charles Bryan, and Bruce $370,015.59. Since assigned assets (the John P. Fye (by invitation), and Ms. Pamela Miller. Dr. Steven McGovern Lectureship Fund, William B. Bean Peitzman was unable to attend because his airplane flight Endowment Fund, and Publications Fund) totaled had been canceled at the last moment. $370,226.77, unassigned liquid assets were negative 1. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Drs. (-$211.18). For clarification, it was pointed out that the Mark E. Silverman and Arthur Gryfe, who had died since money specifically contributed to the John P. McGovern the previous annual meeting. Lectureship Fund and William B. Bean Endowment Fund 2. Dr. Lella called for additional agenda items, of which through the years were substantially less than the totals there were none. shown above, since it had been the Society’s policy for 3. The minutes of the 2008 meeting of the Board of many years to assign as interest 12% of the previous Governors were approved as previously written, year’s balances to both funds (6% interest for the John P. distributed, and published in the August 2009 issue of McGovern Lectureship Fund the past two years, as assets The Oslerian. in the fund are now more than ample to sustain the 4. Secretary-treasurer’s report: lectureship and its publication assuming even a 2% to 3% Dr. Bryan gave the report, reference being made to the rate of return. It was agreed not to invade the principal or information published in the February 2009 issue of “basis” of these funds (that is, the amounts contributed as The Oslerian. opposed to the amount arbitrarily assigned as interest for the purpose of internal record keeping). A. As of April 21, 2009, there were 176 members, of whom 6 were honorary members, 115 active members, C. Dr. Bryan reviewed the Society’s expenditures over the 45 emeritus members, and 10 in other membership past year, by category. There was considerable discus- categories. There was considerable discussion about sion of the expenses incurred in conducting the annual the status of student members and associate members. meeting, including the larger-than-usual losses incurred The associate membership category, intended to during 2006 (the meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia) and encourage persons who have not done scholarly work 2008 (the meeting in Boston, Massachusetts). Dr. Bryan in the medical humanities or submitted papers for the reported that the tax return and compilation had already consideration of the Program Committee for the annual been prepared by C. C. McGregor Company. He meeting, has not become popular, with only two such presented all of the records for the calendar year 2008 members at the present time. Discussion took place (checks written against the Society’s accounts, with docu- about whether to designate all students who have mentation, bank statements, and other documents) to Dr. presented a paper at the annual meeting to associate Bastron, the treasurer-designate, for his convening of an membership status, with the stipulation that they audit committee to review these records and the system would not be required to pay dues until they were two for maintaining them. or more years beyond their residency training, at which time they would be invited to become full members D. Dr. Bryan reported that the revised Bylaws had been contingent upon attending a meeting. Dr. Lella distributed by e-mail to members of the Board of pointed out that it would be unnecessary to make a Governors. Bylaws change to accommodate such a policy. No motion was made, but it was agreed to continue this E. Dr. Bryan reported on the transition of the secretary- discussion. treasurer’s duties. Dr. Mueller has agreed to serve as Secretary and Dr. Bastron as Treasurer. B. As of December 21, 2009, liquid assets were $400,586, of which $118,905 was assigned to the 5. Bean Student Research Award Committee report: William B. Bean Endowment Fund, $245,722 to the Dr. Charles Ambrose, Chair of this committee, reported prior John P. McGovern Lectureship Fund, $5,600 to the to the meeting that there had been eight high-quality applica- Page 4 The Oslerian August 2009 Volume 10, Number 2 Board of Governors Meeting Minutes (Cont.) tions and that after much deliberation the recipients were ready for publication in the near future. Dr. Partin presented determined to be Courtney Pendleton (Johns Hopkins the desideratum that the slides from the meeting presentations University School of Medicine) and Christopher Dibble (that is, the Power Point slides) be made available on the So- (University of North Carolina School of Medicine). ciety’s web site. It was pointed out that this could present a 6. John P. McGovern Award Committee: Dr. Neelon potential problem of copyright violation. After considerable reported that the 2009 recipient of this award is Dr. discussion it was determined by common consent that the Patrick McKee of the University of Oklahoma School slides should not be presented on the Society’s web site, but of Medicine. that the meeting abstracts could be thus made available. 7. Nominating Committee: Dr. Neelon reported the 12. Program Committee: Dr. Noble gave the report. It was following slate of officers: For second vice-president, reported that 44 papers will be presented at the 2009 meeting. Dr. Michael Bliss; for three-year terms on the Board of 13. AOS-AAHM Liaison Committee: Dr. Lella reported that Governors, Dr. Paul Berman, Dr. Laurel Drevlow, and this committee had been inactive since the previous year’s Dr. Barry Silverman. This slate was approved by accla- meeting. mation. Also approved were the following new officers: 14. Lifetime Achievement Award Committee: The report by for secretary, Dr. Paul Mueller, for treasurer, Dr. Dennis Dr. Cynthia Pitcock that Dr. Bruce Fye should be 2009 Bastron, and for Newsletter Editor, Dr. Joseph recipient of this award was conveyed and approved. Dr. Fye VanderVeer. It was determined that there would be, at expressed his gratitude. least for the time being, no position of web master as Dr. 15. President’s report: Dr. Lella reported on his activities Mueller evaluates the Society’s web site and its potential during the past year. Reference is made to Dr. Lella’s four usefulness. messages in volume 9 of The Oslerian, including his review 8. Finance Committee: Dr. Marvin Stone, who replaced of the demographics of the Society. Members expressed Dr. Paul Dyment in mid-year at Dr. Dyment’s request, appreciation to Dr. Lella for his leadership over the past year. gave the report, dated March 30, 2009. Dr. Stone 16. Old Business: There was none. reported that the 28.4% decline in the Society’s principal 17. New Business: investment fund (with Fidelity Investments) during 2008 • Committee appointments for 2009-2010 were determined compares favorably with the Wilshire 5000 Index and have been published in The Oslerian June 2009, (stocks), which declined 37.2%, and with the S&P 500 Volume 10, Number 1. Index, which declined 37.0%. He reported further that • Ask Sam Database: Drs. Francis Neelon and Mike Jones the Society’s investment portfolio continued to decline in reported on the status of this project. value during the first three months of 2009, but increased in value by 4.84% during March 2009. He concluded • Report on past presidents’ dinner meeting: It was with the optimistic view that perhaps “we’ve turned the reported that a successful meeting had taken place with corner” and reviewed the need to transfer some assets 19 attendees and that discussion had centered largely on from the Society’s investment portfolio (the “Y99” membership, engagement of students, and outreach. account with Fidelity Investments) to the money market • Dr. Bryan was excused briefly from the meeting, and in account (the “X15 account). his absence Dr. Bryan was announced as the 2010 9. Membership Committee: The following five appli- recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. cants for regular membership were reviewed and 18. Future meetings and dates: approved by acclamation: Drs. Joseph J. Fins, Gordon The 2010 meeting will take place in Rochester, Frierson, Michael Fuller, Chryssa McAlister, and George Minnesota, April 26-29. Drs. Mueller and Fye will Sarka. assist with the local arrangements. 10. Historian-Archivist report: It was reported that Dr. The 2011 meeting will take place in Philadelphia, Charles Roland has submitted the report and that the Pennsylvania. Drs. Peitzman and VanderVeer were Society’s archives are in order. suggested for assistance with the local arrangements. 11. Publications Committee: Dr. Clyde Partin reviewed The location of the 2012 meeting has not been set. the committee’s activities. He reported the consensus The question was raised how meeting sites are that the specific Publications Fund should be left undis- selected, and it was pointed out that these are turbed until sufficient funds have accrued for its usage. determined by the Board of Governors after input He reported that the eleventh volume of the Osler has been solicited. Library of the History of Medicine series (Dr. Roland’s biography of Archibald Malloch) has been published. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. In review are manuscripts submitted by Dr. Charles Ambrose (on Dr. Joseph Pratt, “The Man Who Would Be Respectfully submitted, Osler”) and by Dr. Richard Golden (on Osler’s prepara- Charles S. Bryan, Secretary-Treasurer tion for his monograph on the history of medicine). Dr. Golden’s manuscript is being proof-read and should be August 2009 The Oslerian Page 5 Volume 10, Number 2

From the Editor: A book that may be of interest to our members

Attention, Oslerians! To get a head start on the 2011 AOS meeting in Philadelphia, I recom- mend the 2008 historical novel by Lawrence Goldstone, The Anatomy of Deception. It’s a well- written forensic thriller set in Philadelphia in 1889 that gives a flavor of the era, and features Osler and a Dr. Ephriam Carroll, one of his residents at Blockley, as they unravel a murder. It draws in a number of interesting and famous Philadelphians like Thomas Eakins and his portrait of surgeons Gross and Agnew. W. S. Halsted and others from Baltimore also figure prominently in the plot.

Members in the News

Charles T. Ambrose, M.D.

Kudos to Oslerian Chuck Ambrose, who recently received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, from Transylvania University in Lexington, KY. Chuck has long championed the historic role of that institution, the first university west of the Alleghenies. His scholarly presentations before the AOS (in Pasadena and Cleveland) have always been enlightening. Bravo!

Oslerian Progress Notes

Thanks to the efforts of a number of Oslerians (including Mark Silverman, Clyde Partin, & Charles Ambrose), a student-centered Osler group has blossomed at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, concurrent with their new curriculum. Beginning with the class of 2011, the students were divided into four societies; Osler, Semmelweis, Harvey and Lister. Pictured left above is the Osler society group, and below, medical student Sharjeel Hooda receives his pin from Associate Dean Dr. Ira K. Schwartz in a ceremony in February 2009. In Clyde’s address to the group that day (“Why Bother to Study Osler?”), he emphasized the new teaching paradigm was essentially Oslerian, and if they wished to put Sir William on a pedestal, they should position it right behind them at the bedside. Page 6 The Oslerian August 2009 Volume 10, Number 2

OBITUARIES

IN MEMORIAM LEON Z. SAUNDERS, DVM, Ph.D.

This AOS Honorary Member died at age 89 of Alzheimer's disease in Brentwood, TN. Trained in Canada in veterinary medicine, he served in the Royal Canadian Artillery in WW II as a veterinary officer, caring for mules carrying vital supplies across the Himalayas in Burma. He pursued graduate studies at Ames, IA, and Cornell, where he got his Ph.D. in neuropathology. During his tenure at Cornell he actively participated on the polo team, and enjoyed snow skiing with his family, in America, Canada and Switzerland. Dr. Saunders spent the bulk of his career as Head of Pathology & Toxicology for Smith Kline & French Laboratories. He published more than 90 articles and 6 books. He nurtured a special interest in the history of veterinary pathology, and two books on that topic led to Saunders’ honorary election to the American Osler Society. He was a founder of the journal Veterinary Pathology and served as managing editor for 25 years. For his scientific and professional accomplishments he received a number of honors, including the Centennial medal by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, the Theodor Kitt Medal from the University of Munich, and the Lifetime Achievement commendation by the American Veterinary Medical History Society in 2000. His daughter, Christine, on the pharmacology faculty at Vanderbilt, said her father was a dedicated and proud member of AOS.

IN MEMORIAM WILLIAM C. GIBSON, M.Sc., M.D., Ph.D.

This AOS founding member, a diplomat respectively of the Universities of British Columbia, McGill, and Oxford, has died at age 95 in Victoria. The first half of his academic career involved psychiatry and neurological research; in the latter half, he manifested broad interests in the history of medicine. The Gibson Collection of over 5,000 volumes in the history of medicine and the natural sciences is housed in a Memorial Room at U.B.C. named after Canadian businessman Charles Woodward. The room contains a magnificent tapestry (view it at this web site: http://vancouverhistory.ca/archives_tapestry.htm ) that Dr. Gibson was instrumental in obtaining from France. Gibson wrote many articles and ten books, including Wesbrook and His University (1973) about the physician founder of the University of British Columbia.

IN MEMORIAM

CHARLES GORDON ROLAND, M.D.

BELOVED FOUNDING MEMBER

AND AOS HISTORIAN

What a loss! Chuck Roland was beloved of many Oslerians, for his kindness, magnanimity and scholarship. I suspect those of us who missed his presence at the CLE meeting did not appreciate that he was then battling a recurrence in his liver of a colon cancer resected five years earlier, which caused jaundice and then his death on June 9. (Continued on page 7)

August 2009 The Oslerian Page 7 Volume 10, Number 2

Roland Obituary (continued)

His early years were spent in a log cabin in northern Manitoba; his father died when Chuck was young, having spent most of that time in a TBC sanatorium. The family moved to Ontario in his high school years, and he began his long writing career as a sports reporter and then year book editor. He attended college at the University of Toronto and returned to Manitoba to attend the Medical College in Winnipeg. He earned money for tuition by working as a bellhop at Chateau Lake Louise, where he began another life-long love, mountaineering. He was a member of the Alpine Clubs of Canada and Switzerland. In Ontario, after a brief stint in family practice, Roland began volunteer work with the CMAJ, which led to his application for a job with the JAMA in Chicago, where he spent five years as a senior editor, honing his and writing skills. He was recruited from the Journal to develop a department of biomedical communication at the Mayo Clinic in 1969. Soon he was executive editor of their Proceedings, which he completely overhauled, redesigning its format. His editorial prowess was recognized by his election as president of the American Medical Writers Association in 1969. Chuck returned to Canada in 1977 as the newly created Jason A. Hannah Professor of the History of Medicine at McMaster University Medical School in Hamilton. [Hannah was a neuropathologist who in 1937 set up one of the prepaid health plans in Canada, which were put out of business by the adoption of the Canadian health service; funds from the dissolution of his Associated Medical Services led to the establishment of several Hannah Chairs of medicine in Canadian medical schools.] Roland served as president of the Canadian Society for the History of Medicine and edited its Bulletin. He wrote for the popular press and for scholarly journals, almost 500 articles in all. He was associated in various capacities with ten leading American Canadian medical periodicals.

Chuck Roland’s interest in Osler, and his involvement in the AOS was extensive, and he regularly attended our congenial annual meetings. He served as historian for the group for many years and was generous with his time, a blessing to many of us. He wrote or edited eleven compilations of Osler’s aphorisms and facsimiles of his papers, including three volumes of Osler’s collected essays. His most recently published work relating to Osler was a biography of Archibald Malloch, the surgeon who introduced Lister’s antiseptic surgery to Canada. Roland authored two seminal books about WWII: a 1992 account of medical care in Warsaw, Courage under Siege: Starvation, Disease and Death in the Warsaw Ghetto, for which he received the Jason Hannah Medal of the Royal Society of Canada; and Long Night’s Journey into Day: Prisoners of War in Hong Kong and Japan, 1941-1945, published in 2001. Other honors included a Doctor of Science from the University of Manitoba and the John P. McGovern Medal from Oxford.

Here follow some short tributes by his friends in the Society:

It strikes me that every loss from our ranks is sad, but none more so than this latest. I suppose that the American Osler Society has reached that age where such news must be anticipated, but I continue to be saddened every time another name is struck from the list of active mem- bers. Chuck may have been the last of the active Charter Members of the American Osler Society, but I always thought he was one of our "young" members and amongst the most generous; I will miss his welcoming presence at our meetings. —Frank Neelon

Chuck Roland was without question one of the giants in the history of the health sciences. Among the fine aspects of Academic Medicine are the many first-rate human beings whom you get to know and associate with. This “invisible college” is a treasured group of exception- ally bright, highly motivated over-achievers, who in addition to their scholarly contributions are among the finest people on God’s Green Earth. What can one say? Chuck’s passing is such a great loss. Keep Well, and Persevere! —Larry Longo

In addition to all of Chuck's traits, his warmth, Oslerian knowledge, humanity, and general "likeableness", he also had fabulous editorial skills, and well utilized by me. The void he left in the AOS will be hard to fill at many level — Clyde Partin

When AMS was superseded by Canada’s equivalent of your Medicare, the Hannah Institute was formed, and for over three decades it’s been a founder, leader, and vital supporter of history of medicine, especially (but not exclusively) within medical communities. It was mostly an "institute without walls," the unique benefits of which were spread around our country. The Hannah Chairs in five Ontario medical schools and several affiliates elsewhere in Canada were created in this initiative. Chuck Roland held the one at McMaster until he retired, and I am very fortunate to occupy one at Queen's University in Kingston. Grants for research, scholarships and fellowships were also supported by Hannah funds. So here's something for our American friends to think about: If your new President succeeds in bringing a national health insurance plan, then there might be a LOT of private insurers with a LOT of money looking for worthy things to do in order to keep and manage their capital. Maybe the torch can be passed. Might we consider The Charles G. Roland Institute? The Osler / Roland Institute? It’s worth pondering and perhaps pursuing! — Jacalyn Duffin (continued on page 8) Page 8 The Oslerian August 2009 Volume 10, Number 2

Roland Obituary (continued)

Chuck had a subtle wit, and was the author of several E.Y.D. additions to the literature one of which appeared in PJAMA (The Pseudo Journal of the American Medical Association), an invention of his fertile mind during his early days as editor at JAMA. A meticulous researcher, I best remember him on several occasions at the Osler Library in shirtsleeves surrounded by books and manuscripts taking copious notes relating to his current project. Chuck served for many years on the Board of Curators of the Osler Library where he was a voice of reason and wisdom. Just as Osler gave immortality to John Y. Bassett in "The Alabama Student" so did Roland in his biographies of Harold N. Segall and Archibald E. Malloch. A charter member of the American Osler Society, he remained active for forty years serving as governor, president, and historian, helping to preserve the fading memories of the early days of the Society and its founders. He received the Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Following the tradition of Eli Lilly and Charles E. Frosst in presenting American and Canadian graduates with a copy of "Aequanimitas," Roland edited and introduced "Sir William Osler 1849-1919: A Selection for Medical Students" presented to Ontario medical students by the Hannah Institute for the History of Medicine, as well as a translation for Francophone readers. Chuck Roland has left us an extraordinary multifaceted legacy that will continue to inspire and instruct our Oslerian efforts and ideals. — Dick Golden

Knowing Chuck Roland helped dissipate my stereotypes. He had no pretensions. He was a humble man who came to medicine, history and Osler because he found a work ethic, and down to earth ideals to live by. Chuck took Osler as he was to be found, a man among men, with his “rough edges,” a teacher who communicated openly with and gave himself fully to patients, students and colleagues (whom Chuck said it was difficult to emulate because of his natural reserve). Chuck’s history was a way of learning about himself, his communities, his country and his profession. Through his work he helped us all to learn about ourselves, how we are, how we were, and how we have come to be. This was all possible because as an historian he 'dug wide and deep.' He also dedicated many years of hard work to this Society. It was good to know that he was there doing it, implicitly challenging us to think of how we could do it too, in our own way. — Joe Lella

William Osler once began an obituary, “For nearly thirty years I have enjoyed the friendship of Weir Mitchell, so that it is difficult for me to write in measured terms about his character and work.” That message resonates as I share this personal reflection on the loss of a dear friend. I first met Chuck Roland in August 1976 at the 25th International Congress of the History of Medicine. Chuck’s letter sent the following month set the tone for a relationship that grew ever closer over the ensuing decades: “Thanks for your note…and a copy of your review of The Evolution of Modern Medicine. I enjoyed the review. I also enjoyed visiting with you on frequent occasions in Quebec City. I hope we will be able to continue the dialogue in the near future.” He was then chairman of the Department of Biomedical Communications at the Mayo Clinic—little did I know that I would eventually wind up there. Chuck was secretary-treasurer of the American Osler Society when I became a member in 1978, and we saw each other almost every year thereafter. In addition to our shared interests in medical history and William Osler, Chuck and I collected things. He was a bibliophile who fueled my with gifts and offers to acquire some wonderful things he accumulated over the decades: autographs, books, inscribed reprints, and memorabilia. We recently coauthored three biographical sketches on Canadian cardiologists. Sadly, our final paper, on Jonathan Meakins, has yet to appear. A few weeks before he died, Chuck sent me a copy of the December 1959 issue of the University of Manitoba Medical Journal with a note: “My first article relating to Osler.” Entitled “Footsore in Montreal,” it presaged a passion for medical history. He wrote fifty years ago, “Any doctor visiting Montreal should have high on his list a visit to the Bibliotheca Osleriana….an impressive marble doorway leads to the treasures inside.” Chuck was so full of life it is hard to believe that he is gone. Chuck Roland’s impact on so many aspects of medical history will be felt for generations. Today, he is sorely missed. —Bruce Fye

Your ideas for the Oslerian are of course most welcome! Direct all correspondence by e-mail to the editor at: [email protected] August 2009 The Oslerian Page 9 Volume 10, Number 2

IT’S NOT TOO EARLY to mark your calendar for the 40th Annual Meeting of the American Osler Society, to be held in Rochester, Minnesota, April 26-29, 2010.

The 40th annual meeting of the American Osler Society will be held at the Kahler Grand Hotel in Rochester, Minnesota, (http://www.thekahlerhotel.com/). The hotel is located in downtown Rochester across the street from Mayo Clinic. To help you plan your stay and learn more about what Rochester has to offer, please visit the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau web page at (http://www.rochestercvb.org/). The skyway and subway systems make it easy to navigate through downtown Rochester.

On Tuesday evening, the reception will be held at the Rochester Art Center. The exhibit at the center will feature more than 250 prints and engravings depicting a broad range of medical themes. Selected from W. Bruce Fye's personal collection, the works span five centuries: from a 1493 German woodcut The Dance of Death to Rosemary Covey’s 1998 wood engraving Antigenic Shift. Most of the prints in the exhibit were produced in the 18th and 19th centuries by artists and craftsmen who used various engraving, etching, or litho- graphy techniques. They will be grouped thematically with major sections devoted to anatomy, patients in various contexts, nurses, portraits of physicians, surgical treatment and other therapies, military medicine, caricatures, and patent medicine advertisements.

There will be opportunities to go on self-guided tours of the Mayo Clinic Historical Suite where the last offices of Drs. Will and Charlie Mayo are displayed, the Mayo Clinic History of Medicine Library, Mayo Clinic Heritage Hall museum, a tour of the splendid Mayo Clinic art collection and Saint Marys Hospital, as well as a guided tour of the Plummer Building carillon bells. The banquet on Wednesday evening will be in the beautiful Landow Atrium in the Mayo Clinic Gonda Building (see photograph below).

For those of you interested in attending the American Association for the History of Medicine annual meeting, it too will be held at the Kahler Grand Hotel starting on Thursday, April 29 and ending on Sunday, May 2, 2010.

Questions regarding registration can be directed to the Mayo Clinic Continuing Medical Education (CME) Office at 800-323-2688 or [email protected]. For all other questions, contact Renee Ziemer at 507-284-2585 or [email protected].

Drs. Charles H., William W., and William J. Mayo (c. 1890) Page 10 The Oslerian August 2009 Volume 10, Number 2 AMERICAN OSLER SOCIETY Call for Abstracts for 2010 Annual Meeting PRESIDENT: in Rochester, MN 26-29 April, 2010 John Noble [email protected] Abstracts should be sent by e-mail to: [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] and must be received by 15 November SECRETARY: 2009. Abstracts submitted by e-mail will be acknowledged. The abstract Paul S. Mueller should be no longer than one page. It should begin with the complete title, the Mayo Clinic, names of all co-authors, and the corresponding author’s mailing address, tele- 200 First Street, SW, phone number, FAX, and e-mail address. This should be followed by a two to Rochester, MN 55905 TEL: 507/284-0155 FAX: 507/284-5889 three sentence biographical sketch indicating how the author would like to be

[email protected] introduced. (This will probably be your entire introduction. Don’t be modest!). The text should provide sufficient information for the Program TREASURER: Committee to determine its merits and possible interest to the membership. R. Dennis Bastron, Tucson, AZ The problem should be defined and the conclusions should be stated. Phrases [email protected] such as “will be presented” should be avoided or kept to a minimum. Three learning objectives should be given after the abstract. Each learning The Oslerian EDITOR: objective should begin with an active verb indicating what attendees Joseph B. VanderVeer, Jr. should be able to do after the presentation (for example, “list,” “explain,” 10 Sugar Knoll Drive “discuss,” “examine,” “evaluate,” “define,” “contrast,” or “outline”; avoid Devon, PA 19333 noncommittal verbs such as “know,” “learn,” and “appreciate”). The [email protected] learning objectives are required for Continuing Medical Education credit. A cover letter should state: Whether any of the authors have a potential conflict-of-interest such as direct financial involvement in the topic being discussed, and whether there will be any mention of off-label use of drugs or other products during the presentation. Standard audiovisual equipment will consist of a laptop computer and LCD projector. Presenters should carefully weigh, and justify, requests for additional AV equipment since this will add substantially to the cost of the meeting. Each presenter will have a 20-minute time slot, which will be strictly enforced. Presenters should rehearse and time their papers to 15 minutes, in order to permit brief discussions and to be fair to the other speakers. Although 20 minutes might seem quite short for a paper in the humanities, our experience with this format has been overwhelmingly Aequanimitas favorable. The Oslerian is published approximately four times a year by the American Osler Abstracts will be accepted by e-mail up until 15 November 2009. Send Society, Inc., a non-profit organization. with objectives and cover letter to: [email protected] with a Members of the American Osler Society copy to: [email protected]. Please make submissions in Microsoft are encouraged to send news items of WORD format. interest, including their personal activi- ties and accomplishments, accompanied by photographs or other illustrations.

We’re on the web! AOS Members — Please forward to the editor ([email protected]) Check us out at: information worth sharing with one another for MEMBERS IN THE www.americanosler.org NEWS column—JBV.